Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has announced the appointment of Nazir Afzal OBE as its new Chair, with his tenure set to begin on 4 January 2027.
One of the UK's most prominent figures in public service and governance, Afzal brings more than three decades of leadership experience spanning criminal justice, safeguarding, public sector transformation and community advocacy. His appointment comes as MFT continues to drive improvements in patient care, tackle health inequalities and strengthen services across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Afzal is widely recognised for his distinguished legal career, having served as Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England and later as Director for the Crown Prosecution Service in London. During this time, he led prosecutions in some of the UK's most high-profile criminal cases and oversaw more than 100,000 prosecutions annually.
Beyond his legal career, he has held several senior leadership roles, including Chief Executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, National Adviser to the Welsh Government and the first independent Chair of the Catholic Church's Safeguarding Agency. He currently serves as Chancellor of the University of Manchester and Chair of The Lowry, alongside a number of national advisory, governance and charitable positions.
Speaking about his appointment, Nazir Afzal OBE said:
“It is a huge privilege to be appointed Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. MFT touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, and with that comes an enormous responsibility. I intend to listen, to challenge when necessary and, above all, to keep patients and communities at the heart of what we do.
“You cannot lead an organisation this important from a boardroom alone. I want to spend time with our teams, hear what is working and what isn’t, and make sure people feel able to speak openly. Good organisations are built on people who feel listened to and valued.
“Manchester is a city that believes in looking after one another. That spirit should run through our NHS too. I want MFT to be an organisation that our patients are proud of, our staff are proud to work for, and our communities know they can trust.
“I’ve spent much of my career standing up for people and making sure that voices which can sometimes go unheard are heard. I see this role as another opportunity to serve, with humility, independence and a determination to make a difference.
“MFT has extraordinary people, enormous expertise and a proud history. My job is not to arrive with all the answers; it is to listen, ask the right questions and help create the conditions in which our people can deliver the very best care.”
Mark Cubbon, Chief Executive of MFT, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Nazir to MFT ahead of his formal start as Chair on 4 January 2027.
“MFT serves almost 1 million people across Manchester and Trafford, and many more through our specialist services regionally and nationally. We are ambitious about continuing to improve care, reduce inequalities and transform services. Nazir brings a wealth of experience, insight and public service leadership which will be invaluable to that mission.
“His commitment to listening, inclusion and accountability aligns strongly with our values, and I look forward to working closely with him as we build on MFT’s many strengths for the benefit of our patients, colleagues and communities.”
Cubbon also paid tribute to Trevor Rees, who has served as Acting Chair during a significant period for the organisation.
“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Trevor Rees for his outstanding leadership and support as Acting Chair. Trevor has provided stability, wise counsel and unwavering commitment during an important period for the Trust, and we are extremely grateful for his contribution.”
As Chair, Afzal will lead the Trust Board, providing strategic oversight, strengthening governance and helping ensure patients, staff and local communities remain at the centre of decision-making across one of the NHS's largest and most complex trusts.
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